Reusable file folder

ABSTRACT

A file folder is made with both front and back covers of sheet plastic, joined by a flexible material such as cloth. These cover members have their longitudinal side margins integrally formed into clips disposed to releasably retain sheets of paper and the like. One of the covers preferably has an index tab retainer attached or formed from the cover so as to extend outwardly from the cover, said tab retainer adapted for inserting or attaching new indexing strips when desired.

taies tet Wm Well. 22, 1972 [54] RWUSAWLIE lFlllLlE lF'UlLDlEM 2,151,3593/1939 Schmitz ..40/359 [72] inventor: 1F. .llosepl'i him, 416 MontclairAvenue, l738I20 12/1929 Schafiert 2,850,016 9/1958 Matheny..... PmpmLakes, N1 07442 R g 1 2 05 9/1939 Yawman..... 22 MN m, 1970 946,8601/1910 Multer ..281/45 PP- 29,672 Primary Examiner-Robert W. MichellAssistant Examiner-R. P. Dyer [521 11.8.1131 ..410/3l59, 281/45AmmePRaIPh Roberts [51] lint. 1C1 .11165d 27/06 57 ABSTRAT [58] FieldollSearelln ..28l/1, 45; 40/359, 104.03, 1

40/7805, 78,15; 129/20, 36, 37, 35; 24/67 R, 673, A file folder is madewith both front and back covers of sheet 67.9, 67.11, 255 IR, 255 P, 255S, 255 FL, 255 RS, plastic, joined by aflexible material such as cloth.These cover 255 BL, 255 LT, 255 H, 25 5 229 1 2 members have theirlongitudinal side margins integrally formed into clips disposed toreleasably retain sheets of paper 5 References Cited and the like. Oneof the covers preferably has an index tab retainer attached or formedfrom the cover so as to extend UNITED STATES PATENTS outwardly from thecover, said tab retainer adapted for insen' ing or attaching newindexing strips when desired. 1,216,062 2/1917 Brenne et a1 ...24/67.111,478,219 12/1923 l-lammitt .24/259 X 9 Claims, 41 Drawing FiguresREUSABLE FILE rotuisa BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention In reference to the classification of art as established inthe United States Patent Office the art to which the present inventionpertains may be found generally in the class entitled, BUCKLES BUTTONS,CLASPS etc., and in particular to the subclass thereunder entitled PaperFasteners and more particularly to those that are resiliently biased andthose which are made as one piece."

2. Description of the Prior Art File folders are a common product ofcommerce and are a heavy and essential item in office filing of paperssuch as correspondence, invoices, reports and the like. These filefolders as well as clipboards provide ready retention of papers and thelike. File folders as presently used are usually of light cardboard andafter one or two periods or cycles of use are often discarded for new.When there is a requirement for many and frequent changes andsubstitutions of papers, clipboards are often used instead of filefolders. Many embodiments of clipboards are shown in U.S. patents as forexample, a clipboard is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,329,974 issuing toBENNETT on Sept. 21, 1943, and in U.S. Pat. No. 2,777,179 issuing toMILLER on Jan. 15, 1957. As an alternate to a clipboard there is aletter filing device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,016,789 issuing to SMITHon Feb. 6, l9l2, and a file folder is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,008,019to HORLICK issuing July 16, 1935. In these patents and in filing devicesdisclosed in other patents are attempts to provide a filing cover whichmay be reused or in which the papers may be releasably retained.However, most of these systems are bulky, expensive, or do not providean easily stored file folder which is reusable for a long period oftime, and which will require only the small amount of space i for thefiling needed in the conventionally supplied file folder.

Hanging-type file folders permit ready tab identification changes butthese folders, so far as is known, do not provide release-typepaper-retaining means. The stock from which these hanging folders aremade is usually too flexible to act as a portable file storage unit.

In so far as is known, the use of film sheets for use in making astorage folder or sheet protector has been generally in a folder made ofvery thin plastic film of vinyl and the like in which a single sheet isfolded and punched to act as a protective cover for both the front andrear of a stored sheet or sheets. These folders are not adapted for thereleasable retention of stored contents and are often subject tocracking. The present invention contemplates that both the front andrear cover panels are each made of a heavier sheet of plastic and as onepiece with the clip portions formed as turned or folded edges madeintegral with the cover panel. One cover is contemplated as having anindex tab which may be either made as an integral flat extending tabportion or may be an attached tunnel tab retainer of conventionalconstruction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention may be summarized atleast in part with reference to its objects.

It is an object of the present invention, to provide, and it doesprovide, a file folder having cover members with one edge formed toprovide a releasable retaining means by which sheets of paper and thelike may be releasably retained and stored within the file folder. Thefront and back panels are made of a durable plastic sheet materialpermitting repeated use of the file folder without the appearance of thefile folder being diminished in attractiveness.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, and it doesprovide, a file folder in which the front and back panels are made of aplastic sheet having one of their outer edges formed in a folded overmanner to provide an integrally attached paper-retaining clip, and inwhich the flexible joining member of the file folder is a cloth orflexible plastic strip permitting ready moving of the file folder coveror covers from an open nun to a closed condition. One of the coverpanels is preferably provided with an extending indexing tab portion inwhich a tab index strip may be releasably mounted.

In the present invention the file folder is contemplated as being madeas a standard size, as for example 9 by l 1% inches, with each of thefront and back cover panels being made of a plastic sheet material, asfor example, eightto tenthousandths of an inch in thickness. The sideportions or edges of each panel are each heat shaped to a foldedcondition to provide an integrally attached clip disposed to retain fromone to several sheets of paper between the clip and the panel. On one ofthe panels the clip portion is shortened so as to provide means forattaching an index tab which may be of the tunnel type which permits aninserted index strip to be inserted or replaced. As an alternate to thetunnel index tab retainer, the cover panel in a localized area may beextended as a part of the back portion to provide an extended panel,which may have a roughened surface upon which indicia may be applied bypen or pencil, or upon which indexing identification may be attached asby glue or cement. The file folder, as above briefly described, providesa reusable folder which has paper retaining means formed on each covermember and each cover is es sentially of plastic sheet material which.has a long life expectancy and is of a reasonable cost.

INTENT OF THE DISCLOSURE Although the following disclosure offered forpublic dissemination is detailed to insure adequacy and aid inunderstanding of the invention, this is not intended to prejudice thatpurpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept thereinno matter how it may later be disguised by variations in form oradditions of further improvements. The claims at the end hereof areintended as the chief aid toward this purpose, as it is these that meetthe requirement of pointing out the parts and improvements in which theinventive concept is found.

There has been chosen a specific embodiment of a reusable file folderand showing a preferred means for forming the releasable clip members ofthe cover panels.

This specific embodiment has been chosen for the purposes ofillustration and description as shown in the accompanying drawingwherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 represents a plan view of thefile folder of this invention and showing a preferred construction andplacement of integral paper clamping means provided on the front andback panels;

FIG. 2 represents an end view of the file folder of FIG. I, the viewtaken on the line 2-2 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 represents an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the edge ofone of the cover panels and showing in particular a preferred formationof the releasable clip portion, and

FIG. 4 represents an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on theline 4l-4l of FIG. 1 and showing in particular the construction andattachment of a tunnel tab retainer to a cover member.

In the following description and in the claims various details will beidentified by specific names for convenience; these names, however, areintended to be generic in their application. Corresponding referencecharacters refer to like members throughout the several figures of thedrawing.

The drawing accompanying, and forming part of, this specificationdiscloses certain details of construction for the purpose of explanationof the broader aspects of the invention, but it should be understoodthat structural details may be modified in various respects withoutdeparture from the con cept and principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing indetail, there is shown in the several figures a preferred embodiment ofa file folder. This folder has paper-retaining clip means formed asintegral membets on each of the front and back covers, and in particularincludes left and right panels and 12, which panels are preferably madeof a plastic such as Polyethelene film or sheet, of approximatelyeightto ten-thousandths of an inch in thickness. The plastic sheet forthe panel may be transparent, semitransparent, or opaque and may becolored when desired. These panels are cut to a desired shape and sizeand are then subject to a heating and forming operation, wherein theexterior edges are bent to form retaining clips in and along thelongitudinal edge portions. In FIG. 1 these clip portions are identifiedas 14 and 16. In the preferred embodiment the cover panels 10 and 12 arejoined in spaced array as by cementing to the panels a piece of cloth20, which cloth hinge is sufficiently flexible and tough to provide ahinge of durable construction.

Referring now in particular to the paper-retaining clip which is formedas an integral member of the plastic cover panels 10 and 12. Referenceis made in particular to the sectional view of FIG. 3 wherein it is seenthat the panel 10 has a portion folded upon itself with the outer edgeportion being curved on a tight radius as at 22. The clip portionadjacent the curved edge 22 is sloped inwardly and downwardly at 24 to apaper-engaging portion 26 which may be a flat section of a very shortextent, as for example a sixteenth to an eighth of an inch in width.Inwardly of engaging portion 26 the inner edge of the clip is tiltedupwardly to provide a camming ramp 28 under which the edges of paper maybe slid to be retained beneath the clip.

A like clip 16 is formed in the other cover panel 12, however, thisclip, as shown, does not extend the full length of the side of the panelso that an indexing tab retainer generally identified as 30 may beaffixed to the upper edge. This indexing tab retainer is better seen inFIG. 4, and as shown is the tunnel type of conventional construction inwhich a piece of thin transparent plastic of a few thousandths of aninch in thickness is folded upon itself to provide a small flat space 32in the outer portion of the tab. The inner edges 34 and 36 may be heatsealed or cemented to the panel portion 12. In order to permit readyreplacement of the insertable tab indexing strip itself, which strip isa slidable fit into space 32, it is desired that small arcuate cutouts40 and 42 be provided at each end of the tab retainer 30 so that theinserted strip may be readily gripped for removal from the tab retainer.

It is contemplated that if a removable tab retainer is not desired foruse with this file folder, the film sheet 12 may be cut so that a tabportion will extend outwardly a determined amount. The surface of thefilm forming this extended portion may be left in its original surfacecondition whereupon indexing strips may be attached to the extendingpiece as by means of releasable cement or glue. As an alternate thesurface of this extending portion may be frosted or roughened as in themanner of plastic credit cards so that pencil or ink notations may beinscribed on this conditioned surface and may be erased therefrom.

USE AND OPERATION The construction of the cover panels 10 and 12 arecontemplated as being made from a flat film sheet and are die cut to thedesired configuration, with the clip portion being an outer portionextending beyond the final edge. By means of heat, this extendingportion is formed to the configuration as shown in FIG. 3. This bentedge provides a clip under which various sheets of paper and the likemay he slid for retaining and storing in the file folder. The retainingsurface 26 as shown in FIG. 3 may be a smooth flat surface, or prior toits folding may be made irregular by dimpling or embossing to providelocalized engaging portions. This retaining surface, instead of beinglocally embossed, may be scored with lateral or longitudinal ridges toprovide a desired gripping means. The indexing tab retainer portion 30,as above described, is adapted to receive strips of paper upon which isinscribed the desired information. If it is determined that this tabretainer is not the desired construction, a tab may be made as anintegral part of the cover portion 12 and as so constructed extendbeyond the normal edge identified as 50. The surface of this extendingportion may be left smooth as in the condition in which the film sheetis produced, or the surface may be roughened in the manner provided inlocalized areas on various plastic chargeplate cards. This type surfaceis also found on film used for making drawings. This surface is providedso that pencil or ink may be inscribed upon this prepared surface, andin most of these conditional film surfaces, the inscribed indicia may beremoved by erasing means well known in the trade.

The file folder of this invention as above described provides a folderof long durability and high attractiveness. This file folder has theclip portions made as of integral construction. This integralconstruction permits the file folders to be stored in a very neat andcompact manner so that it does not occupy an extensive amount of storagespace. These file folders, of course, may be repeatedly used as desiredwith the storage contents being exchanged or discarded as desired andwith the indexing tab or indicia being readily changed to conform to thelast required use. 7

Many types of film sheet may be used and the thickness is merely amatter of choice, however, to provide the integral clip edge the sheetmust be of thermoplastic composition. The material must also have acertain elasticity when formed so that the clip will not readily breakfrom the cover. The hinge may be of cloth or may be of a tough flexibleplastic which may be cemented or heat sealed to the cover members.

Terms such as left, right," up, down, bottom," top," front, back, in,out" and the like are applicable to the embodiment shown and describedin conjunction with the drawing. These terms are merely for the purposesof description and do not necessarily apply to the position in which thereusable file folder may be constructed or used.

The conception of the reusable file folder and its many ap plications isnot limited to the specific embodiment shown, but departures therefrommay be made without sacrificing its chief advantages and protection issought to the broadest extent the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

l. A reusable file folder having relatively stiff front and back coverpanels joined by a hinge member so as to be folded face to face in acontiguous condition, said folder including: (a) both front and backcover members made of thermoplastic sheet material, each of said covermembers having a substantial edge portion generally folded upon itselfto provide a releasable clip for retaining sheets of paper and the like,said clip being shaped to provide a paper-engaging portion at adetermined distance from said folded edge and with the inward remainingclip portion bent at an acute angle to the cover member to provide acamming ramp under which the edges of the paper may be slid to positionthe papers under the paper-securing releasable clip, and (b) a tabmember provided on one of the cover members so as to permit selectedindicia to be displayed for indicating the stored contents within thefolder.

2. A reusable file folder as in claim 1 in which the releasable clipmeans is formed on the longitudinal outer edge of the cover member.

3. A reusable file folder as in claim 2 in which the hinge member is acloth member attached to the inner longitudinal edge portions of eachcover member to maintain said covers in a determined spaced relationshipto each other.

4. A reusable file folder as in claim 2 in which the hinge member is aflexible plastic strip attached to the inner longitudinal edge portionof each cover member to maintain said covers in a determined spacedrelationship to each other.

5. A reusable file folder as in claim 1 in which the clipretaining edgeportion of one of the covers has said clip portion made less than thefull extent of the longitudinal edge and in this portion which is absenta formed releasable clip there is provided an extended tab portionproviding means for receiving indicia for identifying the contents ofthe folder.

of the tunnel portion when desired.

8. A reusable file folder as in claim 5 in which the extended tabportion is an integral flat portion of the cover member.

9. A reusable file folder as in claim; 8 in which one of the surfaces ofthe tab portion is conditioned to receive an inscribed indicia which maybe applied as by a pencil, pen and the like.

1. A reusable file folder having relatively stiff front and back coverpanels joined by a hinge memBer so as to be folded face to face in acontiguous condition, said folder including: (a) both front and backcover members made of thermoplastic sheet material, each of said covermembers having a substantial edge portion generally folded upon itselfto provide a releasable clip for retaining sheets of paper and the like,said clip being shaped to provide a paper-engaging portion at adetermined distance from said folded edge and with the inward remainingclip portion bent at an acute angle to the cover member to provide acamming ramp under which the edges of the paper may be slid to positionthe papers under the paper-securing releasable clip, and (b) a tabmember provided on one of the cover members so as to permit selectedindicia to be displayed for indicating the stored contents within thefolder.
 2. A reusable file folder as in claim 1 in which the releasableclip means is formed on the longitudinal outer edge of the cover member.3. A reusable file folder as in claim 2 in which the hinge member is acloth member attached to the inner longitudinal edge portions of eachcover member to maintain said covers in a determined spaced relationshipto each other.
 4. A reusable file folder as in claim 2 in which thehinge member is a flexible plastic strip attached to the innerlongitudinal edge portion of each cover member to maintain said coversin a determined spaced relationship to each other.
 5. A reusable filefolder as in claim 1 in which the clip-retaining edge portion of one ofthe covers has said clip portion made less than the full extent of thelongitudinal edge and in this portion which is absent a formedreleasable clip there is provided an extended tab portion providingmeans for receiving indicia for identifying the contents of the folder.6. A reusable file folder as in claim 5 in which the tab portion is atunnel-type retainer attached to the cover member and providingtherewith a slide storage means for releasably retaining a tab strip ofpaper and the like.
 7. A reusable file folder as in claim 6 in which atleast one of the ends of the tunnel portion of the tab retainer isscalloped to provide a partially exposed end of the inserted tab stripfor ready grasping and removal of said tab strip from the slide way ofthe tunnel portion when desired.
 8. A reusable file folder as in claim 5in which the extended tab portion is an integral flat portion of thecover member.
 9. A reusable file folder as in claim 8 in which one ofthe surfaces of the tab portion is conditioned to receive an inscribedindicia which may be applied as by a pencil, pen and the like.